[Video] Chess

[geniustheveil]

[The heartless have been getting to quite a few people lately. It's hard to tell at first whether Ami is one of them. She's inside, seated at a small table and playing chess against herself. Masters of the game would note the arrangement of the board as a very famous end game maneuver. She's testing it again, noting its weaknesses and the ways to defend against it.

It's keeping her mind off the shadows, and the things that always seem to not-quite-be-there when she looks. It's keeping her mind off the doubts, the worries, the insecurities. But there's very little of her usual gentle smile despite the seeming calm. She has a perhaps not-so-incongruous question.]

What are the things you do to relax and unwind your mind?

Comments

[sanguineheels]

.... Ami [that was her name right? She couldn't remember if they'd properly introduced themselves, but she'd heard her name from Kanda.]

It sounds like you're going through something difficult. Is there anything I can do?

[geniustheveil]

[In a perverse trick of the mind, it all makes it harder to ask for, or receive, help - and she'd never been good at showing this face anyway.]

I'm fine.

[sanguineheels]

[That's okay, Lenalee is familiar with this type of brush off. It doesn't work really well on her anymore.]

Are you sure? [there's a frown.] I may not know you very well Ami, but I can tell something's bothering you.

[geniustheveil]

I've just begun to realize some things about being here.

[sanguineheels]

...What sorts of things? [she tilts her head to the side. It's a shame she has no idea where Ami is right now, or she would be more inclined to see her in person]

[geniustheveil]

I think I've begun to realize it may be hopeless.

[sanguineheels]

It may seem like it... [oh she's struggled with this thought a bit herself.]

But I think there's still a chance that things could get better here, we just can't give up yet.

[geniustheveil]

I wish you luck with them. [Though not cruel or taunting, there's a certain formality to the words that suggests she has little faith in them.]

[sanguineheels]

[She frowns.]

I'm not going to give up on you, either Ami. You sound like you're drowning.

[geniustheveil]

You only arrived a little while ago, didn't you? [The question is honest, or at least calling attention to it without being particularly meaningful.]

You'll understand when you've been here awhile longer.